Preliminary report: the investigation found bird DNA in both engines of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board of South Korea (ARAIB) released the preliminary report on the accident that occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport (RKJB). A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, registration HL8088, crashed following an emergency landing, resulting in 179 fatalities and 2 serious injuries.
Initial Findings
Flight 7C2216 departed at 04:30 local time from Bangkok (BKK) with 181 people on board: 175 passengers and 6 crew members. At 08:54, the crew received clearance to land on runway 01, but at 08:57, bird activity was reported in the area.
At 08:58:56, the pilots declared an emergency after a bird strike during a go-around procedure. The aircraft attempted to land on runway 19 but performed a belly landing, overshot the runway limits, and collided with an embankment, causing a fire and a partial explosion.
The emergency was declared six seconds after the cockpit voice and flight data recorders (FDR/CVR) stopped functioning due to a dual engine failure. Both systems ceased recording data four minutes before impact, and the aircraft crashed two kilometers short of the runway threshold.
Bird Strike and DNA Analysis
Investigators identified feathers and blood residues in both engines and sent the samples for DNA analysis. The results confirmed they belonged to Baikal teals. This impact caused critical engine failures, severely compromising the aircraft's maneuverability.
Ongoing Investigation
The ARAIB will continue to examine the wreckage, engines, bird strike details, and airport conditions. Additionally, data from the flight recorders (FDR/CVR), which stopped recording four minutes before the crash, will be reviewed.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the NTSB (U.S.) and the BEA (France). Key priorities include:
• Measures to manage wildlife at airports.
• Enhancing engine resistance to bird strikes.
The preliminary report emphasizes that current findings are provisional and will be subject to revision in the final report.
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